FIELD CODE OF NEW YORK
The first code of CIVIL PROCEDURE that established simplified rules for PLEADING an action before a court, which was proposed by DAVID DUDLEY FIELD in 1848 for the state of New York and enacted by the state legislature.
The Field Code served as the prototype for other states in codifying and revising the rules of civil practice in their respective courts. Prior to the code, no uniform rules existed for the commencement of an action. Each common-law form of action and each EQUITY action had its own rigid procedural requirements to be satisfied and the language of such pleadings was highly formalized and verbose. A plaintiff ’s allegation rarely was stated in simple, clear language.
The Field Code was a radical departure from
the procedures of the past. As a result of its
merger of law and equity actions into one
action, the code provided a uniform set of rules
of pleading to be used in each type of case. The
pleadings were to be in simple, concise language
that set forth only the facts of the dispute
between the two parties.
This clarification of procedure was a signifi-
cant factor in bringing about a more efficient
system of justice.Within twenty-five years of the
enactment of the Field Code, about one-half of
the states enacted comparable codes. The Field
Code was also influential in ENGLISH LAW, its
principles drafted into the JUDICATURE ACTS of
1873 and 1875.
The term CODE PLEADING is derived from
the Field Code, although code pleading can refer
to compliance with the requirements of either a
